A Press Of Canvas (War of 1812 Trilogy, Volume 1) [Paperback]

William H. White (Author)

Book Description

Series: War of 1812 Trilogy | Publication Date: June 2000

When the Anne is stopped by a British Royal Navy frigate, Isaac and several shipmates are forcibly pressed into service on the Orpheus, which is actively engaged in England's long-running war with France. Written from the aspect of the fo'c'sle rather than an officer's view and through the eyes of an American, it provides new persepctives and an exciting story from an often neglected period in American history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A great read . . . a very engaging story with believable, honest characters . . . taught me a lot about this period . . . just fabulous! -- John Wooldridge, Managing Editor, Motorboating and Sailing

Sailors everywhere will rejoice in the salt spray, slanting decks and high adventure of this lively yarn. -- Peter Stanford, President, National Maritime Historical Society

About the Author

William H. White is a former U.S. Naval officer with combat service, a life-long sailor, and maritime historian specializing in Age of Sail events. He lives in Rumson, New Jersey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Tiller Publishing; 1 edition (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888671114
• ISBN-13: 978-1888671117
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #820,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars It could have been better, February 2, 2002

By 

Fred Camfield (Vicksburg, MS USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: A Press Of Canvas (War of 1812 Trilogy, Volume 1) (Paperback)

This is volume one of a series, and perhaps should be read first to obtain the background for the other volumes. The author has trouble completing scenarios he creates. In some instances, the writing is clumsy. I have previously noted in reviews of books by other publishers that publishers should employ readers (people knowledgeable of the subject). This is another example of a book rushed into print without adequate proofing.

The book is three separate related novelettes. The first story features Isaac Biggs, captain of the foretop on the merchant bark Anne in 1810. It covers a time period of several days and deals with the problems and seamanship aboard the bark. There is a thieving third mate who intends to kill or injure Isaac. Having created this problem, the author extracts Isaac by having him pressed into service aboard an English frigate. No more is heard of the Anne or how the problems aboard were resolved. An additional chapter could have closed out this tale.

The second part of the book is a story about service aboard the British frigate Orpheus from 1810 to 1812. Isaac Biggs is a maintopman and plays a supporting role. The action skips forward rather quickly from 1810 to 1812 when the Orpheus leads a small squadron against a French convoy. Here the writing goes off track. The Orpheus is attacking a French brig, almost wrecking it completely with a couple of broadsides; then the brig is fighting like a frigate; then they board the brig; then they take off the captured officers who seem to be the complement from a frigate, etc. The author seems to lose track of where he is in the storyline, and seemed to forget that a brig was a lieutenant's command with perhaps 40 to 50 in the crew, no significant number of marines, and perhaps 12 four-pounder popguns for its armament (the light structure of a brig could not take the recoil of heavy guns). The story of the action against the French convoy is never completed, and the tale skips forward to a scene in a tavern in Nassau.

The third part of the book is about an American privateer commanded by Captain Smalley, formerly captain of the bark Anne. Isaac Biggs joins the tale at the midway point. Eventually Isaac is able to return to the United States. By placing three stories in the same book, the action becomes superficial at some points, jumping between points where action is very detailed. The repeated nautical commands for sail handling can get a bit tedious.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fresh American perspective from a knowing storyteller., July 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Press Of Canvas (War of 1812 Trilogy, Volume 1) (Paperback)

W.H. White's scholarship climbs the ratlines of our history for us. His views from the maintop, through the eyes of his Isaac Biggs, are knowing, intimate, and refreshingly American. The story pulses with action and the anticipation of action among a crew of real-sailor characters. The book disappears as we stand their watches and fight alongside them.

A Press of Canvas gives us an honest and previously poorly lit insight to the period when we confirmed the Revolution and won the world's respect.

The men, their spirit, and their wonderful ships were crucial to preventing our young nation's being stillborn. I look forward anxiously to the two more parts of the promised trilogy.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great yarn!, September 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Press Of Canvas (War of 1812 Trilogy, Volume 1) (Paperback)

As good a yarn as ever one might want. Enertaining and historical with an interesting perspective. A good read for sailor or landlubber. I look forward to the next book in the series.